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“It will be alright,” Lila said. “These things happen.”

“I know, I just wish I could make it different for Grace.”

“That’s because you love her and she loves you. And together, you’ll get through this,” Lila added.

“I do, I do love her, and she loves me, and we will get through this…I just…I need to get back to her.” She stood up and ran her hands over her face, wiping away the tears and sadness.

Ron thrust his hand into his jacket pocket, pulled out his wallet and rifled through the notes, before pulling them all out. He got up and met Caz in the middle of the room. Pushing the notes into Caz’s hand.

“I don’t need—”

Ron held his hand up. “Whatever you both need, you only have to ask. Get her something nice. I don’t care what you spend it on, just…take care of my Sweetpea. And take as much time as you need. Don’t rush back to work. If Grace needs you at home, you stay at home, okay?”

Caz nodded. “Okay, thanks, Ron.”

Chapter Forty-Seven

“I’m home,” Caz called out as she opened the door. Pulling her coat off, she kicked her shoes off and glanced into the lounge, finding it empty. “Grace?”

“I’m upstairs,” came the response, and then Caz looked up to find Grace leaning over the banister. “Did it go okay?”

“Yeah.” Caz nodded. She wouldn’t be mentioning her own moment of falling apart. “They’re just worried about you, that’s all.”

“I know, I just…I can’t right now, you know? But I feel a bit better. I’m just trying to be logical and not emotional about it. For now, anyway.”

“Of course. I’m going to make a cuppa and then I’ll come up and help finish packing and then we can get on the—” The doorbell rang. “Who’s that?” Caz said, more to herself. She took a look out of the small side window beside the door and sighed. The black Mercedes was on the drive.

“Who is it?” Grace whispered.

Moving to the bottom of the stairs, Caz answered, “It’s your mum.”

Grace’s eyes widened. “I thought you told them to stay away. I don’t…I can’t…Caz.”

“I did. It’s okay, I’ll deal with it. Stay up there.”

Lila knocked with the letterbox, pushing it open to shout through the hole, “Grace?”

“For fuck’s sake,” Caz muttered before opening the door and forcing a smile. She stood with one hand on it as she stepped into the small space, her other hand landing on the door frame, blocking Lila from entering. “Lila, I thought I just explained—”

Lila sagged. “I want to see my daughter, Caz.”

“I know, and I’ve explained she doesn’t want to see anyone.”

“Caroline, step aside,” Lila said, clearly more annoyed than she’d ever been with her daughter-in-law.

“I can’t do that,” Caz said, standing firm. “Like I said, Grace doesn’t want to see anyone right now.”

Lila threw her hands up dramatically. “I’m her mother,” she shouted.

“And I’m her wife,” Caz said, just the hint of irritation in her voice. “She has said she doesn’t want visitors. So, until that changes, I’m sorry, but no. I will let you know when she’s ready, or she will call, but I have to say, Lila, I’m very disappointed in you.”

She closed the door and waited to make sure Lila didn’t try again. When she heard the engine start up and the throaty sound of it roaring out of the driveway, she wandered down to the kitchen to make the tea she’d promised. Halfway through filling the kettle, she heard a small cough from behind and spun around to find Grace staring at her.

“What? Are you alright?” Caz asked.

The intensity of Grace’s stare unnerved her—no—excited her. There was something there that she’d not seen directed at her before.

Grace continued to look at her, head tilting slightly to one side as her eyes narrowed.